The MLB season has been waiting on deck amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Report: July 1 start for MLB 'optimistic'

On Monday, former MLB player and current podcaster Trevor Plouffe gave baseball fans yearning to see action occur at ballparks amid the COVID-19 pandemic some hope that the 2020 season could begin on July 1:

Roughly 24 hours after Plouffe's report went viral among members of baseball Twitter, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman poured cold water over the story.

Baseball writer Keith Law of The Athletic also said that MLB and the MLB Players Association aren't close to an agreement regarding the start of the season while speaking on Cleveland radio station 92.3 The Fan.

Plouffe backed his original report with a somewhat NSFW tweet on Tuesday afternoon. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles
Scottie Scheffler arrested, still makes PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes